She said: "This does highlight a lack of regulation in respect of the sale of secondhand fireplaces on a private basis and where they are fitted by an individual.

"Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident.

"Trinity's death highlights the dangers of carrying out do-it-yourself work in the home where a job like this requires professional installation.

"I make no criticism of Mr Coward - he was trying to make his home look nice and was unaware of the dangers he was facing."

In his statement, Mr Coward described how he watched the tragedy unfold.

He said: "Trinity was happy, being cheeky and running around.

"She reached up to the fireplace and started swinging from it.

"All of a sudden it came away from the wall.

"I rushed over and expected her to respond the way she normally did when she had a fall but she was lifeless."

He added that her death had left him "absolutely devastated".

" She was my rock, She was a real daddy's girl. I wish I could have died so that she could have lived," Mr Coward said.

The family did not attend the inquest but in a statement issued at the time of her death, they described Trinity as "our little princess".

They said: "Your gorgeous smile and those dimples forever etched on our hearts."

Norfolk County Council has since published advice to parents on how to avoid such accidents.

Sheila Merrill, public health adviser at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: "The most normal everyday items can be a risk to young children.

"Thankfully accidents of this nature are not a regular occurrence, however RoSPA's advice when buying modular, stone or artificial stone fireplaces is to seek professional advice before making the purchase and to get the fireplace surround fitted by a professional.

"Individual components of these fireplaces can weigh more than 50kg and, unless fitted in a secure manner, can in time come adrift from the fixing."

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